Does anyone have an excel test they can share (or point me to something online) that you use during the interviewing process to evaluate candidates? Not looking for an excel expert but definitely need someone who knows more than the sum function

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My suggestion: get a free online official database (idk the country you're currently in) and ask the candidates to perform some analysis and create a functional* dashboard - say you provide them a database of internet connections:
- how it's divided by state?
- how it's divided between mobile, fixed, high-speed, low-speed, etc.
- what places have the most growth rate among the years in the database?
- and other useful stuff

* pls don't ask a "good-looking dashboard" as 1 - beauty is very subjective and 2 - you can easily train someone to get to your (or your company style); it's not a part of excel learning to be good at design

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If you're in US, check the census Bureau for good ideas - I have a couple but they're mostly for finance

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Gito coursera.com do two things . Take excel skills for business specialization by Macquire University . Second do a Google data analytics certificate do compare with Google sheets . Will do help you alot

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Just come up with situational questions around how to or how the people would solve problems in excel. Don't be afraid to have them demo.

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When interviewing interns and recent grads I've asked them to send me Excel files they referenced in their interview (when we ask about Excel). For the most part this has been solid in terms of knowing the basic skills they possess, interviewees tend to reference files containing whatever they consider the most complex skills they have. However, because it's generally a school project it doesn't speak to their ability to process fluid information or quickly deliver on said skills. The timeline of a typical school project is far longer than 'I need this by end of day' so I think I'll move towards adding a simplified Excel task and timing it in the future.

Well assuming you don’t want to crush the candidate with an expertise excel test, I would say after proving they know how to utilize a sum function, maybe throw in a little curve ball in there and see if they can utilize a SUMIF, COUNT , MAX, MIN and AVERAGE functions from the same dataset for quick insight.

Learn index match, xlookup, nested sumif, conditional formatting (more than basic), advanced filters, goal seek and you'll be an advanced user.

It is subjective, i agree but despite being an expert in VBA, i don't recommend it to other people. Better solutions (PQ) can be found on the fly. In terms of formulae, once you are familiar with the intermediate ones, the most advanced ones become simple to learn. I think an advanced user is one who isn't scared of attempting any spreadsheet and knowing the intermediate ones, anyone can make good spreadsheets quickly googling the functionality they don't know.

Try taking the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exam. You can take either the regular or the expert version. I took the regular exam for Excel 2016 back in spring 2020, and it tests core competency. It doesn't go too far into advanced Excel functions, but rather it demonstrates if you're able to navigate Excel via the ribbon to execute a series of tasks. After taking the exam, I ended up earning the highest score in Iowa for the 2016 track. Wow! Since then, just having the certificate has proven to be enough of a qualifying boost when applying for roles. I've found this to be a more successful approach for saying I'm familiar with Excel rather than listing formulas I know; of course, there's still an advanced realm in Excel that exists. You don't have to be an all-seeing Excel wizard; if you have confidence in navigating the program and performing core functions, you are doing quite well compared to those who are reluctant to open a blank spreadsheet.

The course is actually quite garbage imho

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